Blogs

2026 PRD Virtual Conference Schedule

By Jin Chen posted 4 days ago
The 2026 Public Relations Division Virtual Conference is a three-part virtual series highlighting different dimensions of contemporary public relations: career preparation, core skills, and creative experimentation with AI. View the details below to learn more about each panel session. Session 1 : Friday, Feb 20 | 10:00–11:00 AM Theme: Teaching Strategic, Career-Focused PR in the Age of AI Session 2 : Monday, Feb 23 | 3:30–4:30 PM Theme: Teaching Media Relations and PR Writing Through Practice and Feedback Session 3 : Wednesday, March 4 | 12:00–1:00 PM Theme: From Press Conferences to Playlists: Creative AI in PR ...

Call for 2026 Spring Semester of Service

By Jin Chen posted 28 days ago
The PF&R committee seeks community-engaged, service-learning, pedagogical experiences for our 2026 Spring Semester of Service showcase. Following the Spring Semester of Service (SOS) tradition for PRD, we will highlight members’ projects through blog and social media posts that demonstrate best practices aligned with the five pillars of PF&R: • Pillar 1: Free Expression • Pillar 2: Ethics • Pillar 3: Media Criticism and Accountability • Pillar 4: Diversity and Inclusion • Pillar 5: Public Service We honor the 2026 Spring Semester of Service between the observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day ...

AEJMC PR Division: Call for Papers (2026)

By Jin Chen posted 28 days ago
The Public Relations Division invites submissions of original papers that advance the theory, practice, and pedagogy of public relations. The division encourages submissions that reflect a variety of theoretical and practical perspectives relevant to public relations, as well as a diversity of methodological approaches. Submitters should carefully review the specific instructions for the Public Relations Division as well as the general requirements contained in the AEJMC Uniform Paper Call. New Submission Site : https://www.aejmc.org/aejmc-events/conference/paper-competition Submission Categories : A paper may be submitted in one ...

The AEJMC Public Relations Division is proud to announce our 8th virtual conference

By Jin Chen posted 10-24-2025
Call for Panels for Virtual Conference Deadline: November 20 Virtual Conference Date: Feb/March. 2026 (Specific Dates TBA) Submission Form The AEJMC Public Relations Division is proud to announce our 8th virtual conference. How do I submit a panel? We seek timely and relevant panels with the potential to discuss theoretical, methodological, practical and/or pedagogical. Please consider the following steps to help you craft an effective panel proposal. NOTE: Panel proposals should not be under review at other conferences. They should not have been previously presented either at other venues. Please send us your original ideas and ...

Public Relations Division 2026 Call for Panels

By Erika Schneider posted 09-22-2025
Public Relations Division 2026 Call for Panels 2026 AEJMC Annual Conference New Orleans, LA – August 5-8, 2026 The Public Relations Division (PRDV) of AEJMC seeks submissions of proposals for panels for the 2026 AEJMC Annual Conference. Panel proposals should address one of the three areas of AEJMC: research, teaching, or professional freedom & responsibility (PF&R). Proposals are due by 11:59 p.m. CDT, October 7, 2025. Guidelines for Panel Proposal Submissions Panel proposals should be submitted to the Public Relations Division Call for Panels, 2026 AEJMC Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, August 5-8, ...

Thank You, AEJMC 2025 PRD Sponsors!

By Erika Schneider posted 08-11-2025
On behalf of the Public Relations Division, we extend our deepest gratitude to the sponsors who made this year’s conference and the recognition of our top papers possible through their generosity and commitment to advancing our field. Your support not only enhances our conference experience but also affirms the importance of research, professional development, and mentorship in public relations. The PRD truly thrives because of partners like you! Thank you to the Mass Communication & Society Division for joint-sponsoring the Kaiser Award. Thank you to our top paper award sponsors : Dennis Wilcox , Professor Emeritus, ...

PF&R: Public Relations Division 2025 Community Giveback Event

By Erika Schneider posted 07-25-2025
On Friday, July 25, the AEJMC Public Relations Division PF&R Committee hosted the 2025 PRD Community Giveback Event, a virtual roundtable that united public relations scholars with women founders leading mission-driven startups in Northern California. During the event, faculty provided pro bono communication consulting, applying their research and professional insights to real-world challenges faced by innovative entrepreneurs. This year’s event spotlighted three dynamic community partners: 1. Cove Contact: McCall Brinskele, CEO Cove has reimagined menstrual health with a cutting-edge collection and shipment kit designed ...

Semester of Service Blog #8

By Erika Schneider posted 06-06-2025
A “Lifetime” Special Project for Students and a Professor by Professor Gemma Puglisi As a university professor for over 20 years, my motto is to always look at ways to motivate students as well as challenge them. Sometimes the projects you pick not only motivate your students but you as well. I would like to share a project that truly impacted so many of my students and yes, me…and continues to do so. The James Foley Death In 2012, American journalist and videographer, James Foley was kidnapped by the terrorist group ISIS. For two years he went missing, until 2014, when an infamous video showed Foley beheaded ...

2025-2026 PRD Mentorship Program

By Erika Schneider posted 05-08-2025
The Membership Committee is pleased to announce the launch of the 2025-2026 PR Division Mentorship Program! What is the program about? The mentorship program, which is open to all PRD members, including graduate students, provides an outlet for both mentors and mentees to discuss a wide variety of topics, including teaching, research, job searches, and the tenure process. Pairs will be made based on shared personal interests, backgrounds, research, teaching, and other key characteristics shared within the application. Sign up here: https://umdsurvey.umd.edu/jfe/form/SV_2c2xYzjcYvwRake When is the deadline? The deadline ...

Spring 2025 Semester of Service Blog #7

By Erika Schneider posted 04-20-2025
From Classroom to Community: Leveraging PR for Social Impact Arien Rozelle , Assistant Teaching Professor, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University This semester I’ve worked on two unique projects that underscore the depth and breadth of public relations education, taking me outside of the classroom and into communities across New York state. These projects, which embody my belief that public relations can be used for social good, also demonstrate the many interdisciplinary applications of our field, and provided exciting teaching opportunities to integrate experiential learning, community engagement and place-based ...

Spring 2025 Semester of Service Blog #6

By Erika Schneider posted 04-13-2025
The Portfolio Review Assignment By Dr. Rochelle R. Daniel , Department of Communications, Bowie State University How do public relations (PR) students learn the skills necessary to gain the attention of prospective employers? My teaching and learning experience tells me they learn by doing. This spring semester I added a portfolio review assignment to my Bowie State University (a Maryland Historically Black University) Capstone Strategic Public Relations class, which provides racially diverse students opportunities to hone their PR skills. The projects are primarily team-based and students mostly volunteer for the projects ...

Spring 2025 Semester of Service Blog #5

By Erika Schneider posted 04-07-2025
Ethical Considerations in Crisis Communications Erika J. Schneider , Assistant Professor in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University

Virtual Panel Event Recap: Integration of AI into Undergraduate PR Education

By Erika Schneider posted 04-04-2025
Integration of AI into Undergraduate PR Education On April 2, 2025, the virtual panel titled "Integration of AI into Undergraduate PR Education" brought together educators and researchers to discuss how AI is shaping the future of public relations education. This session featured panelists Andrew Morris, Ph.D. candidate at the University of Alabama, Jeffrey Ranta, Ph.D. (Coastal Carolina University), Arien Rozelle, M.S., APR (Syracuse University), Steve Ryan, M.S., APR (Temple University), and was moderated by Ejae Lee, Ph.D. (Boston University). Main takeaways? Integrating AI tools into the classroom doesn’t require ...

Virtual Panel on April 16! All About Adjuncting: From PR Pro to PR Prof

By Erika Schneider posted 04-04-2025
The PRD's Teaching Committee is co-sponsoring a virtual panel for current and aspiring PR adjunct faculty with the PRSA Educators Academy , During the 60-minute interactive panel, experienced adjunct faculty will share insights on: ✅ The realities of adjunct teaching. What to expect and how to thrive ✅ Balancing industry expertise with academic expectations ✅ Navigating learning management systems and structuring syllabi ✅ Building connections within your institution and the PR education community Attendees will walk away with practical takeaways, resources, and a better understanding of what it means to be an adjunct ...

Spring 2025 Semester of Service Blog #4

By Erika Schneider posted 03-30-2025
Building Community and Careers: The Agency Experience at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Robert Foschia , Assistant Professor, Public Relations Program, Department of English, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania The first thing I lead with when I am asked about my new-ish position at Kutztown is the two-semester capstone course in The Agency, and the work students do there. Seeing students helm projects and learn skills has been a wonderful experience as an educator, but more importantly, the course builds a camaraderie between participants that is very special. While they build tangible portfolios for future employers, ...

Journal of Public Relations Education Special Issue Call for Papers: "Elevating PR: Insights and Trends in Graduate Education"

By Erika Schneider posted 03-27-2025
Journal of Public Relations Education (JPRE) Special Issue Call for Papers Manuscript Due Date: 08/07/2025 Anticipated Publication: January 2026 JPRE 12 (1) "Elevating PR: Insights and Trends in Graduate Education" Guest Editors: Emily S. Kinsky, West Texas A&M University Charles Lubbers, University of South Dakota Adrienne A. Wallace, Grand Valley State University Since 1975, the Commission on Public Relations Education (CPRE) has studied undergraduate and graduate public relations education standards and practices, with the bulk of its effort being to lessen the gap between the profession and ...

Spring 2025 Semester of Service Blog #3

By Erika Schneider posted 03-24-2025
Semester of Service #3 Dr. Melody Fisher , Associate Professor at Mississippi State University

Spring 2025 Semester of Service Blog #2

By Erika Schneider posted 03-17-2025
Semester of Service Blog Post #2 Virginia S. Harrison, Ph.D., Clemson University Public relations education has long touted the effectiveness of service-learning for engaging, community-focused undergraduate education. This past fall, I applied these principles to my graduate-level course in Quantitative Research Methods and believe service-learning can have similar benefits in advanced courses. Fifteen students in my master’s level class designed research projects to help a small local nonprofit, Clemson Community Care, learn how to increase student engagement. In my undergraduate classes, I partnered with CCC to create public ...

Spring 2025 Semester of Service Blog #1

By Erika Schneider posted 03-10-2025
Building Real-World Skills through Crisis Communication Plans: Providing a Service Diverse Clients in Tampa Bay and Beyond Dr. Mimi Perreault, Assistant Professor, Zimmerman School of Advertising and Mass Communications, University of South Florida A bowling alley suspects their biggest threat is the drunk bowler, until a student points out the signs behind the lanes that read “flammable risk” – then the client refocuses their plan. A restaurant thinks food contamination is their biggest worry until a student points to problems with flooding in the neighborhood. In just this way, crisis plans have ripple effects in a community. ...

2025 AEJMC PRD Virtual Conference

By Erika Schneider posted 02-28-2025
With the conclusion of the 2025 AEJMC PR Division Virtual Conference, we're reflecting on a great month of panels. Over the course of three weeks, we had the opportunity to learn from dozens of PR scholars and educators. The seven panels discussed insights into pedagogy, AI, study abroad programs, and graduate education. Session #1: Great Ideas for Teaching (GIFT) Date & Time: February 14, 1:00–2:30 p.m. ET 💡 Focus: Innovative approaches to PR education Panels: Bringing Foreign Market Research into the Classroom – A. Laskin et al. Social Media Simulation & PR Skills – K. Quesenberry Leveraging AI Chatbots for ...